A COMMUNITY came together to undo the work of a Christmas villain over the festive period.

On Friday, December 9, a knitted nativity scene that was being raffled to raise funds for Odiham Cottage Hospital was stolen from the hospital’s shop in Old Basing.

The news was shared on social media by volunteer Denise Myers, which led to an anonymous woman spotting the plea for help.

The woman ordered a new set for the nativity, meaning the hospital was half-way to reconstructing its shop display.

Just two days after the nativity was stolen Ms Myers emailed Clare Balding’s Good Morning Sunday Radio 2 show.

This time her plea was for any carpenters to help make a new stable and within just two minutes, ‘Kookie’ from the charity Mens Sheds had been in touch to deliver some good news.

The new stable was made by a gentleman named Mike from Basingstoke Mens Shed, and the nativity was finally back together ready to be raffled off on Thursday, December 22.

Sue Cameron, manager of the Odiham Cottage Hospital shop, said: “I was distraught when I realised that the nativity scene had gone. But I was so moved by the response that we received since the theft was announced. A local lady loaned us a traditional nativity for us to display in the shop and we had offered to refund all raffle ticket purchases.”

Denise Myers, who kickstarted the reassembly attempts added: “I knew that if I put the theft on social media that good things would happen. Most people are loving and generous and there will always be a few who will act on their feelings.

“What I didn’t expect was that within an hour of putting a notice about our nativity being stolen on the Basingstoke Facebay group, a lady would be getting in touch and buying us a new one from Ebay! I can’t decide whether she is a Good Samaritan or a guardian angel – but whatever she is, she is fabulous.

“It’s sad that someone felt they had to steal the nativity in the first place, but how wonderful that there is enough Christmas spirit around to fix things for us in such a spectacular and generous way.”

In total £173 was raised, with £73 coming in the form of ticket sales and the remaining £100 from a generous donation from a gentleman who was disgusted at what he’d heard about the theft and wanted to help the charity shop in any way he could.